Programs

Family success stories

Family Story
Elisa Margarita Medina, Family Partner

Family Story

Alejandra Flores and Family
Fictitious names are used to protect the identity of the family

As a Family Partner, I have been grateful to work with Alejandra Flores and her children: Emma, 7; Adan, 5; and Zitlali, 4. Alejandra learned about SVEF’s Family Partner Program through an outreach event at her son’s school yet was reluctant at first to request services once she was contacted.  During our initial home visit, she revealed a past that brought both herself and me to tears.  Alejandra’s experience is one with years of struggle as a single parent who bravely fights to provide for her family.  More than anything, she wants the memories of violence within their home and the hurtful impact on her son to be healed.
Emma and Zitlali both appear to be resilient despite the events that led to their father’s incarceration, yet little Adan having witnessed his father’s arrest has been challenged to carry on a happy childhood.  Thankfully, Adan’s difficult behavior has improved due to counseling services from Gardner Mental Health.  Since Friends Outside had been working with the family previously, a relationship was built between the Family Partner and the Steps Ahead programs which were incorporated into the First 5 System of Care.  The family is now stronger owing to In-Home Parent Coaching from Friends Outside and Therapeutic Services for Mom through EMQ.
Alejandra and her family have also been referred to parenting workshops, food assistance, and enjoyed the opportunity of visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium through the foundation’s partnership with Community Access Ticket Service.   Moreover, with the help of the Family Partner Program, Adan and Evelyn were both respectively enrolled for kindergarten and third grade within Rocketship One Public School which emphasizes parent involvement and prepares its students for a path to college.  Overall, Alejandra has become even more self-sufficient and has recently enrolled herself in English classes.  Alejandra deeply feels that the support that she has received from SVEF and its partnerships has allowed her to move from a painful past towards a thriving future for her family. 

      
Past Family Success Stories

Elisa Margarita Medina, Family Partner

My name is Elisa Margarita Medina. I was born in Santa Clara, California and raised in San José as the last of five children in a Mexican family.  I am the proud parent of a precocious eleven year old daughter who further motivates me to work towards improving our community for her and other children who deserve whole hearted support and substantial opportunities.  I began my career in the non-profit sector as an AmeriCorps member in the Public Allies program and gained experience working with at-risk youth, teen parents, and in organizing efforts within the Washington and Tully-Senter neighborhoods.  I bring this combined experience along with nearly 3 years as a Family Resource Coordinator to my present role at the San José Education Foundation, which began in September of 2006.  I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree with the primary goal of achieving an MSW/LCSW.  I enjoy hiking, traveling, live music, reading, and spending time with my daughter.  As a child, I served as a translator and advocate for my mother and have since valued my responsibility in bridging gaps that lead to greater accessibility for underprivileged families.  I see my role as a Family Partner at SVEF as an extension of my early experiences and am grateful to be in an organization with a strong stance in support of San José’s children and families.

www.SVEFoundation.org